Category: Local News

Barbara Butler, Director of the Westport Department of Human Services announces the return of the CTWorks Career Coach at Westport Town Hall on Thursday, June 19. The Coach will offer a beginner’s class in Microsoft Word 2007 from 10 pm to 12 noon followed by an intermediate class in Word 2007 from 1 pm to 3 pm. Contact the Westport Department of Human Services for specific course description information. The Career Coach is a “training center” tour bus equipped with ten wireless computer labs offering free computer classes to residents in the greater Norwalk area. The mobile unit operates on a monthly schedule of visits to various community locations and is accessible to people with disabilities.

Area residents interested in registering should contact the Westport Department of Human Services at 341-1050 or via e-mail at humansrv@westportct.gov. For more information, including the current Career Coach schedule, check the website for CTWorks www.ctworkssw.org.

Ms. Butler stated, “I hope that by offering the CTWorks Career Coach in the Westport area, many residents who are wishing to improve their computer skills in the Microsoft Office 2007 software will find it convenient and useful in pursuing their personal goals.”

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#Norwalk CT–Norwalk High School names special needs students  Angel Rodriguez  Queen and Joey Agostino is the King of this year’s Prom at Waterview in Monroe tonight.  Now this is prom news worthy of the news.

Special thanks to DJ  Kirk Michaels for reporting this live to us.

 

 

$2.1 Million Needed to Repair Dam

 

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that $2.1 million to fund needed repairs to Bashan Lake Dam in East Haddam is expected to be approved at the next meeting of the state Bond Commission.

 

“Bashan Lake is a very extremely popular recreational water resource used long enjoyed by residents and visitors,” said Governor Malloy.  “These repairs will improve the safety of the dam, ensure public access to recreational fishing and boating, and improve parking and access at the state boat launch.”

 

The historically rebuilt dam was originally of stone masonry construction.  The masonry was covered with concrete around 1939 to slow seepage through the structure.  Around 1966, dam ownership was transferred from the Moodus Reservoir Company to the State of Connecticut.  The dam and gate structure are in need of major repair due to seepage through the structure.   A new walkway over the spillway will be installed to improve safety and access for yearly maintenance and inspection.

 

“Bashan Lake Dam is a high hazard dam in poor condition and in urgent need of repair,” said Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Robert Klee.  “The funding being requested will allow DEEP to make the necessary repairs and restore the dam to safe condition.”

 

“Bashan Lake is a true gem,” State Senator Art Linares (R-Westbrook) said.  “It is a destination for local families and visitors alike.  The state’s continued focus on the safety of the Bashan Lake Dam is good news for East Haddam property owners and good news for everyone who enjoys the lake.  This is an investment in public safety, and it is also an investment in future tourism.”

 

“I want to thank the volunteers of Bashan Lake Association for their years of hard work and advocacy,” State Representative Melissa Ziobron (R-Colchester, East Haddam, East Hampton) said.  “I am grateful that these funds are going to benefit the folks who love the lake, but also the wonderful and diverse natural species that call it home.  The extensive drawdown supported by lake residents should also combat some of the invasive species that are sadly becoming more prevalent across the state.  Thank you to the Bond Commission for their financial support.”

 

The next state Bond Commission meeting will be held on Friday, May 30 in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

 

 

 

WASHINGTON, DC—A portion of the Rail Safety Enforcement Act was included in the Transportation-Housing and Urban Development funding bill that passed the House Appropriations Committee today. The legislation was introduced earlier this month by Connecticut Representatives Rosa DeLauro, who serves on the Committee, Jim Himes and Elizabeth Esty, and New York Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney.

 

The language directs the Federal Railroad Administration to provide a progress report to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on the status of railroad compliance with the Positive Train Control (PTC) requirement. Congress has already required PTC on 60,000 miles of railroad tracks by the end of next year. The language simply asks for transparency on the implementation of that technology.

 

“We want to thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for including this language from the Rail Safety Enforcement Act in the Transportation-Housing and Urban Development funding bill,” the four representatives said. “Congress should be doing everything in its power to keep our nation’s commuters safe, and installing positive train control is a critical first step towards preventing more tragic accidents. We look forward to working with our colleagues to ensure this provision, and the rest of the Rail Safety Enforcement Act, becomes law.”

 

The provision is as follows: Positive train control.—Section 104 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act required the implementation of positive train control systems on railroads by December 31, 2015.  The Committee directs FRA to provide a progress report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 180 days of enactment on the status of railroad compliance with positive train control requirements included in section 20157 of title 49, United States Code.